Maria Savva's Blog - Posts Tagged "music"
Meet musician and author, Jerry Schwartz, and enter to win a copy of Pixels of Young Mueller!
[image error]
My guest this week is a musician as well as an author. His debut novel,Pixels of Young Mueller, is all about an artist growing up... a young man who dreams of becoming a world famous rock star, but then life gets in the way. It's a book that spoke to me because I could relate to the dreamer qualities of the main character and how he feels that the way of life he is living is not really the one he wants to be living as he wants to express his artistic self to the world. It's the type of book that I think everyone will be able to relate to in one way or other. It's a very honest account of a young man growing up, a coming of age tale with a musical twist. I would highly recommend it, especially to people who love music.
I first met Jerry Schwartz on Twitter when I was giving away a copy of my first novel Coincidences. He entered the giveaway and won a copy. After that, I read his book and we have been good online friends since.
Jerry has very kindly agreed to give away a copy of his excellent novel to one lucky reader of my blog. I'm going to change the rules slightly for this giveaway. Usually, I ask you to enter by commenting on the blog post, but I know that some people don't like to leave comments. So, all you have to do to enter is to 'Like' the blog post and you'll be entered into the draw!! It would be lovely to see all your comments too, though, so don't let that put you off.
A lucky winner will be picked at random on 31st May 2011.
Here are Jerry's replies to my interview questions:
As well as being a very talented writer, you are also a musician. You are the man behind The Jerrys, a Beatles-influenced pop/indie band. Are you a one-man band, or are there other musicians involved in The Jerrys?
Thank you, Maria. For the most part, The Jerrys are just me. I love being the whole band, as members always agree on everything and there are no conflicts with schedules. I do enjoy bringing in other musicians from time to time. Robert Porche (drums/vocals) has appeared on a few songs, as well as in a few videos. In addition, Tom Clishem (vocals) and my brothers Todd (guitar) and Troy (drums) have each appeared on one song.
Your debut novel, Pixels of Young Mueller, is a coming-of-age story all about a young man who dreams of being a rock star. When I was reading it, I did wonder if it was in fact a memoir as you are a musician. How much of the story is based on your own life?
A reviewer referred to it as an autobiographical novel, and while I had not heard the term before, I thought that sounded fair enough. I wrote Pixels of Young Mueller as a Kunstlerroman (German for “artist novel”), the story of the growth and development of an artist. It’s based on my life, but I have taken liberties with facts to create Klaus Mueller.
How did you think up the title for the book?
That was the easiest part--I knew from the beginning that I wanted both “young” and “Mueller” in the title, and as I began writing, it seemed “pixels” was a great way to describe the bits that make up the story. In the end, it seemed like a nice play on Joyce’s A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, so I went with it.
Pixels of Young Mueller is quite original as it’s almost interactive. Klaus Mueller’s songs can be heard on The Jerrys’ website, and some of the lyrics appear in the novel. Since publishing the book, have you noticed many readers becoming fans of the band?
Thousands! Just kidding. Curiously, I am getting a lot more MySpace fans, but I don’t know whether that has anything to do with the book. I thought MySpace was supposed to be dead already--what’s up with that?
How has the book been received by existing fans of The Jerrys?
So far, they are still fans, so I’m taking that as a good sign!
I thoroughly enjoyed Pixels of Young Mueller. It is very well written, and I think that the main character, Klaus Mueller, is someone that most people will be able to relate to in one way or another. When you were writing the book and developing the character, did you have any particular type of reader in mind?
Thanks, Maria. I mainly wrote Pixels for me. I have always enjoyed books by James Joyce, Cervantes Saavedra, Miguel de,Rabelais, Francois, Samuel Butler, Sterne, Laurence, etc, and it seemed to me that no one was writing those kinds of books anymore. Someone needed to step up to the plate and take a swing, so I did.
Do you have any other novels in the pipeline?
I’m working on a second Mueller novel, totally unlike the first. As one example, I’m using first-person narrative for this book, whereas I used third-person omniscient narrative in Pixels of Young Mueller. Also, I have ditched previous themes for new ones, which by their nature and no intent of mine will have broader commercial appeal.
I have seen from The Jerrys’ website that you have produced quite a few CDs. How would you describe The Jerrys’ sound?
People describe The Jerrys as Beatlesque, and that’s probably as good a start as any, but I don’t think it’s the best description. I’m probably not the best person to ask, but when I think of The Jerrys, I think of trebly guitars, Vox amps, harmonies, power chords, and a DIY attitude.
What bands influenced you most when you were growing up, and what was it about their style/music that you liked?
I grew up listening to The Beatles, The Kinks, Paul Revere and The Raiders, The Who, The Monkees, The Rascals, etc. Actually, I never just listened to them--I lived for them. Their music was my life, and there was nothing more exciting than electric guitars and drums and good singing. At times, I cared about nothing else.
What was the first album you ever bought?
The Beatles 1962-1966
What kind of music do you prefer to listen to?
I listen to a lot of music, but I prefer music that is upbeat and that makes me tap my foot. Ideally, the main instruments are guitars and the singer has an attitude.
Do you keep up to date with the current music scene? If so, what new bands have caught your eye recently?
I have a teenage daughter who LOVES music, so I’m pretty familiar with what is popular, at least. I hear a hook or two once in a while that sticks with me (usually Ke$ha), but as far as the current band scene goes, I’m disappointed. I’d rather not name names, but I don’t understand the success of some of these bands. In terms of recent releases, I’m listening to comeback albums from the Smithereens and the Cars. My favorite current band is the Dandy Warhols.
Do you have any tips for someone who is considering self-publishing their book?
I have not self-published before, but I do know that there are a lot of great resources out there. In addition, I would probably seek out people who have self-published their books to benefit from their experience. Any author should make sure that his or her book is the best it can be before submitting or publishing, and that means sleeping on it and coming back to it more than a few times. I would also mention that whether you are self-published or published by one of the biggies, you’d better be ready to promote your work. Like it or not, that’s how it is.
Who are your favourite authors and what is it about their writing that you like?
My favorite author is Joyce, despite the fact that I’m not the biggest fan of Finnegans Wake--at least not yet! I also love William Shakespeare, Italo Svevo, Sterne, Butler, Cervantes, etc. In each case, my favorite thing about their writing is that it is so undeniably them. It’s not only what they are saying--it’s how they are saying it.
Is there a book you own that you’ve read more than once?
The list of books that I have read more than once is too long to include here. I have always thought of books as being like albums in the sense that I would never think of listening to a good album only once. Each reading or listening brings new rewards.
What was the last book you read?
Googled: The End of the World as We Know It by Ken Auletta
Are you reading a book at the moment?
I’m reading Website Optimization: Speed, Search Engine & Conversion Rate Secrets by Andrew B. King. It’s a nice blend of search engine marketing and web performance optimization.
What do you think of ebooks?
I enjoy reading on a Kindle as much as I do reading printed books. In the end, it’s all about reading. As wonderful as technology is, it has brought with it a great number of distractions, and I don’t think people read as much as they used to (or need to). I like to think that ebooks will inspire new interest in an old pastime.
How important are reviews for you as a writer?
Tough question. Sometimes I think reviews matter, while at other times I don’t care. When people tell me they like my book, I always recommend that they post a review, but I don’t mind if they don’t. I’m not one to post a review of every book I read, so I get it.
How did you go about choosing the cover for your book?
One of the major themes of Pixels of Young Mueller is flight--the artist flying away from the things that hold him down--so I wanted a bird on the cover. Specifically, I wanted to use one of Max Ernst’s birds, as I am a big fan of those paintings, but I guessed that would cost a small fortune, so I did not pursue it. I created my own bird instead.
What are you working on now?
I released a new full-length album by The Jerrys just a few days ago, so I’m ready to hit the ground running on my second novel. I’ve already started the project, but because of my music, I have not been able to get real momentum going. That is all about to change, which I find exciting. The fact that I am ditching the album format for new music will free me up a bit more as well.
Where can people buy your book?
Pixels of Young Mueller is available from Amazon in both paperback and Kindle Edition, as well as from the publisher, All Things That Matter Press.
Amazon
All Things That Matter Press
You can read more about Jerry and his projects on his website
Thank you for being a wonderful guest, Jerry.
Remember, all you have to do to enter the draw to win a copy of the amazing Pixels of Young Mueller, is leave a comment or 'Like' this blog post! Good luck! This is an international competition.
My guest this week is a musician as well as an author. His debut novel,Pixels of Young Mueller, is all about an artist growing up... a young man who dreams of becoming a world famous rock star, but then life gets in the way. It's a book that spoke to me because I could relate to the dreamer qualities of the main character and how he feels that the way of life he is living is not really the one he wants to be living as he wants to express his artistic self to the world. It's the type of book that I think everyone will be able to relate to in one way or other. It's a very honest account of a young man growing up, a coming of age tale with a musical twist. I would highly recommend it, especially to people who love music.
I first met Jerry Schwartz on Twitter when I was giving away a copy of my first novel Coincidences. He entered the giveaway and won a copy. After that, I read his book and we have been good online friends since.
Jerry has very kindly agreed to give away a copy of his excellent novel to one lucky reader of my blog. I'm going to change the rules slightly for this giveaway. Usually, I ask you to enter by commenting on the blog post, but I know that some people don't like to leave comments. So, all you have to do to enter is to 'Like' the blog post and you'll be entered into the draw!! It would be lovely to see all your comments too, though, so don't let that put you off.
A lucky winner will be picked at random on 31st May 2011.
Here are Jerry's replies to my interview questions:
As well as being a very talented writer, you are also a musician. You are the man behind The Jerrys, a Beatles-influenced pop/indie band. Are you a one-man band, or are there other musicians involved in The Jerrys?
Thank you, Maria. For the most part, The Jerrys are just me. I love being the whole band, as members always agree on everything and there are no conflicts with schedules. I do enjoy bringing in other musicians from time to time. Robert Porche (drums/vocals) has appeared on a few songs, as well as in a few videos. In addition, Tom Clishem (vocals) and my brothers Todd (guitar) and Troy (drums) have each appeared on one song.
Your debut novel, Pixels of Young Mueller, is a coming-of-age story all about a young man who dreams of being a rock star. When I was reading it, I did wonder if it was in fact a memoir as you are a musician. How much of the story is based on your own life?
A reviewer referred to it as an autobiographical novel, and while I had not heard the term before, I thought that sounded fair enough. I wrote Pixels of Young Mueller as a Kunstlerroman (German for “artist novel”), the story of the growth and development of an artist. It’s based on my life, but I have taken liberties with facts to create Klaus Mueller.
How did you think up the title for the book?
That was the easiest part--I knew from the beginning that I wanted both “young” and “Mueller” in the title, and as I began writing, it seemed “pixels” was a great way to describe the bits that make up the story. In the end, it seemed like a nice play on Joyce’s A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, so I went with it.
Pixels of Young Mueller is quite original as it’s almost interactive. Klaus Mueller’s songs can be heard on The Jerrys’ website, and some of the lyrics appear in the novel. Since publishing the book, have you noticed many readers becoming fans of the band?
Thousands! Just kidding. Curiously, I am getting a lot more MySpace fans, but I don’t know whether that has anything to do with the book. I thought MySpace was supposed to be dead already--what’s up with that?
How has the book been received by existing fans of The Jerrys?
So far, they are still fans, so I’m taking that as a good sign!
I thoroughly enjoyed Pixels of Young Mueller. It is very well written, and I think that the main character, Klaus Mueller, is someone that most people will be able to relate to in one way or another. When you were writing the book and developing the character, did you have any particular type of reader in mind?
Thanks, Maria. I mainly wrote Pixels for me. I have always enjoyed books by James Joyce, Cervantes Saavedra, Miguel de,Rabelais, Francois, Samuel Butler, Sterne, Laurence, etc, and it seemed to me that no one was writing those kinds of books anymore. Someone needed to step up to the plate and take a swing, so I did.
Do you have any other novels in the pipeline?
I’m working on a second Mueller novel, totally unlike the first. As one example, I’m using first-person narrative for this book, whereas I used third-person omniscient narrative in Pixels of Young Mueller. Also, I have ditched previous themes for new ones, which by their nature and no intent of mine will have broader commercial appeal.
I have seen from The Jerrys’ website that you have produced quite a few CDs. How would you describe The Jerrys’ sound?
People describe The Jerrys as Beatlesque, and that’s probably as good a start as any, but I don’t think it’s the best description. I’m probably not the best person to ask, but when I think of The Jerrys, I think of trebly guitars, Vox amps, harmonies, power chords, and a DIY attitude.
What bands influenced you most when you were growing up, and what was it about their style/music that you liked?
I grew up listening to The Beatles, The Kinks, Paul Revere and The Raiders, The Who, The Monkees, The Rascals, etc. Actually, I never just listened to them--I lived for them. Their music was my life, and there was nothing more exciting than electric guitars and drums and good singing. At times, I cared about nothing else.
What was the first album you ever bought?
The Beatles 1962-1966
What kind of music do you prefer to listen to?
I listen to a lot of music, but I prefer music that is upbeat and that makes me tap my foot. Ideally, the main instruments are guitars and the singer has an attitude.
Do you keep up to date with the current music scene? If so, what new bands have caught your eye recently?
I have a teenage daughter who LOVES music, so I’m pretty familiar with what is popular, at least. I hear a hook or two once in a while that sticks with me (usually Ke$ha), but as far as the current band scene goes, I’m disappointed. I’d rather not name names, but I don’t understand the success of some of these bands. In terms of recent releases, I’m listening to comeback albums from the Smithereens and the Cars. My favorite current band is the Dandy Warhols.
Do you have any tips for someone who is considering self-publishing their book?
I have not self-published before, but I do know that there are a lot of great resources out there. In addition, I would probably seek out people who have self-published their books to benefit from their experience. Any author should make sure that his or her book is the best it can be before submitting or publishing, and that means sleeping on it and coming back to it more than a few times. I would also mention that whether you are self-published or published by one of the biggies, you’d better be ready to promote your work. Like it or not, that’s how it is.
Who are your favourite authors and what is it about their writing that you like?
My favorite author is Joyce, despite the fact that I’m not the biggest fan of Finnegans Wake--at least not yet! I also love William Shakespeare, Italo Svevo, Sterne, Butler, Cervantes, etc. In each case, my favorite thing about their writing is that it is so undeniably them. It’s not only what they are saying--it’s how they are saying it.
Is there a book you own that you’ve read more than once?
The list of books that I have read more than once is too long to include here. I have always thought of books as being like albums in the sense that I would never think of listening to a good album only once. Each reading or listening brings new rewards.
What was the last book you read?
Googled: The End of the World as We Know It by Ken Auletta
Are you reading a book at the moment?
I’m reading Website Optimization: Speed, Search Engine & Conversion Rate Secrets by Andrew B. King. It’s a nice blend of search engine marketing and web performance optimization.
What do you think of ebooks?
I enjoy reading on a Kindle as much as I do reading printed books. In the end, it’s all about reading. As wonderful as technology is, it has brought with it a great number of distractions, and I don’t think people read as much as they used to (or need to). I like to think that ebooks will inspire new interest in an old pastime.
How important are reviews for you as a writer?
Tough question. Sometimes I think reviews matter, while at other times I don’t care. When people tell me they like my book, I always recommend that they post a review, but I don’t mind if they don’t. I’m not one to post a review of every book I read, so I get it.
How did you go about choosing the cover for your book?
One of the major themes of Pixels of Young Mueller is flight--the artist flying away from the things that hold him down--so I wanted a bird on the cover. Specifically, I wanted to use one of Max Ernst’s birds, as I am a big fan of those paintings, but I guessed that would cost a small fortune, so I did not pursue it. I created my own bird instead.
What are you working on now?
I released a new full-length album by The Jerrys just a few days ago, so I’m ready to hit the ground running on my second novel. I’ve already started the project, but because of my music, I have not been able to get real momentum going. That is all about to change, which I find exciting. The fact that I am ditching the album format for new music will free me up a bit more as well.
Where can people buy your book?
Pixels of Young Mueller is available from Amazon in both paperback and Kindle Edition, as well as from the publisher, All Things That Matter Press.
Amazon
All Things That Matter Press
You can read more about Jerry and his projects on his website
Thank you for being a wonderful guest, Jerry.
Remember, all you have to do to enter the draw to win a copy of the amazing Pixels of Young Mueller, is leave a comment or 'Like' this blog post! Good luck! This is an international competition.
Meet author Michael Scott Miller and enter to win a copy of his book!
I met Michael Scott Miller through BestsellerBound.com... it seems I meet some of the best authors there. Michael's book Ladies and Gentlemen...The Redeemers caught my eye as it has a live band on the cover... you know me.
I can never resist a bit of live music; combine it with a book and I'm in heaven.
A couple of months after Michael's book went on my to-read list, I spotted it in one of the emails I received from Bookpleasures.com (I'm a reviewer for that website.) I instantly requested a copy, knowing that it would be my type of read.
I didn't know what to expect, except that it was a book about a man trying to put a band together. I was very impressed with the book. It's hard to believe it's a debut novel. I can see a bright future for Mr. Miller.
You can read my review of his book here on Goodreads.
As I am on a mission to introduce you all to the best in indie writing, I just had to invite Michael to my blog. He kindly agreed to answer my questions and has offered to give away one paperback copy and three ebooks versions of the book!! All you have to do to enter is 'like' this blog post or leave a comment below! A winner will be picked at random on 20th June 2011. If you have a preference, you should state in your comment whether you're entering for the ebook version or the paperback.
Here are Michael's answers to my interview questions:
Your bio says you work with numbers by day and words by night. That’s an interesting combination. Do you enjoy working with both, or do you have a preference?
At this stage of my life, I am enjoying working with words more. The numbers side comes easily to me and I’ve made a great career in business out of that. However, I’ve found that I love expressing myself creatively through writing and I thoroughly enjoy the challenge of that. Plus, in all my years in the business world, I’ve never had a stranger tell me how much they enjoyed one of my spreadsheets.
Your background in writing appears to be non-fiction. I understand you’ve had work published in the Welcomat (now Philadelphia Weekly) and wrote music reviews for the Wharton Journal. How does writing non-fiction compare with fiction, in your opinion? Do you find it easier to write fiction or non-fiction?
Non-fiction is certainly easier for me since I don’t need to think about the story line or the style of music. I just need to come up with the appropriate words to describe it. I prefer the freedom of fiction though.
I’m assuming that a background in writing music reviews means you have a passion for music as well as words and numbers! (I’m also guessing this as your debut novel has a musical theme). What is your favourite type of music and do you keep up to date with new music?
I have an extensive music collection, mostly rock, but ranging broadly within the genre. My favorite style is pop-punk which is how I would characterize many of my favorite bands including Green Day, The Ramones, The Clash, Social Distortion, and Rancid. I also like more mainstream musicians like Bruce Springsteen and I confess to being a Deadhead. I keep up with new music actively and have been to see both Green Day and the Black Eyed Peas with my kids, which is very cool for me.
What was the last CD you bought?
My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, by Kanye West
When you did music reviews for the Wharton Journal, what did the reviewing involve? Did you attend live performances to review them, or was it based on listening to CDs?
It was purely based on CDs. The editor of the paper would supply me with a batch of demo CDs and I would listen to them and get to choose the ones I wanted to review. I discovered one of my all-time favorite CDs that way, Fire of Freedom by Black 47. Another time, I gave a bad review to this glam band whose name now escapes me. Days later, I saw a review in a major publication where this band was professed to become the next big thing. They didn’t, and my review was vindicated.
Your debut novel is a wonderful book. I absolutely loved it. I’m a music fan, and I feel it really captured the essence of a band and the passion behind music. Have you ever worked in the music industry? The book was so realistic, it made me wonder.
Thank you (*blushing*). That’s awfully nice of you to say. I have not worked in the music industry so I am immensely flattered when readers tell me how true the story feels. I did my homework when I was writing the book so I’m glad that paid off.
How much research did you do for Ladies and Gentlemen...The Redeemers, and how long did it take you to write?
I did a fair amount of research both on the music industry and the setting. My former company had offices in San Jose, so I was able to extend business trips to go to San Francisco and UC Berkeley. I spent a couple days there walking around, visiting the BART stations where many of the early scenes in the book take place, and wandering through the UC Berkeley campus, which is beautiful, by the way.
I have a tough time answering how long the book took to write. I started it about ten years ago, but there were long stretches of idle time.
Most of the characters in your book are musicians. Do you play any musical instruments?
I don’t. I dabbled with piano and guitar as a kid but never became proficient. My teenage son plays the trumpet and drums very well and I am enjoying performing vicariously through him.
Did you base any of the characters on people you know?
Abe Jackson was inspired by a blind singer that I saw regularly in Suburban Station in Philadelphia. There is a bit of me sprinkled throughout the other characters, both good qualities and bad.
Which of the characters in your book can you most relate to and why?
Bert Ingram. Like Bert, I am a dreamer and an eternal optimist.
Do you have any tips for someone who is considering self-publishing their own book?
You have to really want it. It is a long journey, not only the writing, but doing all the marketing and promotion afterward. So my advice is to be prepared for long hours, but don’t let that stop you. Writing and publishing has been one of the greatest experiences of my life.
Who are your favourite authors and what is it about their writing that you like?
Douglas Adams – brilliantly clever and utterly hilarious
J. K. Rowling – how could anyone not love the contribution she has made with the seven Harry Potter books.
J.R.R. Tolkien – I read Lord of the Rings as a teenager and it remains my all-time favorite
Robert Ludlum – I haven’t read much from him lately, but his stories are intriguing and captivating -- the definition of page-turners.
Is there a book you own that you’ve read more than once?
I generally don’t read books more than once, but the one notable exception is The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams.
What was the last book you read?
I’ve been reading books from other indie authors of late. The last couple were Wish List by John Locke and Rock & Roll Rip-Off by RJ McDonnell.
Are you reading a book at the moment?
I’m reading My Blood Approves by Amanda Hocking to see what all the hype is about. I’ve never read a paranormal romance and am unlikely to read many of them, but I just had to see.
What do you think of ebooks?
I love them. As an author, especially a relatively unknown one, publishing an ebook allowed me to first test the market by publishing the book for free, and later set the price at a very low $0.99. As a reader, they are also wonderful. I mostly read indie authors now and it’s great to be able to pick up books for under $5.
How important are reviews for you as a writer?
Reviews are extremely important. Truly independent reviews (read: not from my mother) validate the quality of my novel and give potential readers the confidence to invest in the book. Reviews are also really important for my psyche. There isn’t anything that lifts me up more than reading a positive review or comment about my book.
How did you go about choosing a cover for your book?
I first put together a cover using clip art and sent it to my wife for feedback. She promptly told me it was awful and guided me to find a photographic image instead. I then searched iStockphoto for scenes from a concert and immediately fell in love with the one on the cover here. It is just perfect – a silhouette of the band with an orange-yellow glow symbolizing the sun rising on the Redeemers.
What are you working on now?
I have a basic outline put together for another character-driven novel, but I’m reluctant to say more out of superstition. I will say that it takes place in Northern England, so Maria, I may be coming to you for help ϑ
Where can people buy your book?
Ahh, my favorite question. Here you go:
Amazon
B&N
It’s also available at many other sites including Smashwords, Kobo,the Sony Reader store, and Apple’s iBooks store.
Where can people go to read more about your work?
At ladiesandgentlementheredeemers, people can read the first chapter and access all the novel’s reviews and comments.
Thanks for the interview, Maria!
You're very welcome Michael. Thanks for being a fabulous guest. I don't know how much help I can be with your new book as it's set in Northern England and I'm in London... But give me a shout if I can be of assistance!
Remember to click the 'like' button or leave a comment below to enter for your chance to win a copy of this great book. It's an international competition. Good luck!
Meet musician and author, Bill See, and enter to win a copy of '33 Days'!
I am very excited to be introducing you to my guest today. Bill See is a talented musician and gifted writer. His band Divine Weeks made a bit of a splash in the LA music scene in the late '80s and early '90s. They toured America and Canada for a month in the 1980s, and that tour is documented in his book, 33 Days: Touring In A Van. Sleeping On Floors. Chasing A Dream..
As you can tell from the title of the book, Divine Weeks was not a major label rock band that stayed in plush hotels when they toured; Divine Weeks were a grass roots, indie band, touring because of their passion for music. They were four young men willing to take risks to chase a dream. The book is an inspirational memoir. Bill See's words exude wisdom. He is a man with an enthralling story to tell about his experience as an indie musician, and about his life journey.
Anyone who has ever had a dream will be able to relate to Bill's book.
I met Bill through Bookpleasures.com. He had requested a review of his book, and being a music fan, I could not resist reading it. I'm glad I did. It's now one of my favourite books.
As well as taking the time to answer my questions, Bill has very kindly agreed to give away an ebook copy of 33 Days to one of my blog followers, this is an international giveaway. (If the winner is from the US or Canada he/she will have the choice of either an ebook or paperback!).
To enter, all you have to do is 'like' this blog post or leave a comment below!
A winner will be chosen on 20th July 2011.
Here's the interview:
I read on your blog that you do not consider yourself an author and that you put 33 Days together to document the Divine Weeks tour. When I read 33 Days, I felt like it was written by a born writer. I definitely think you have a talent as an author. Have you ever dabbled in other writing, apart from writing song lyrics?
That's very kind of you to say. That's just my self effacing humor. I've always written. After all, "33 Days" is taken from the journals I kept at the time. I guess I just meant I'm a musician first and never fashioned champion myself as an author per se.
One very interesting thing about 33 Days is the way it’s like an interactive read because you have a website where fans of the book can listen to the band’s music and there are also lots of photographs of the tour contained in the book. I have listened to the free mp3s on your website and really enjoyed the tracks. Are Divine Weeks’ albums still available to purchase, or do you have any plans to re-release the songs?
Divine Weeks' first record "Through and Through" is out of print, but you can find copies on ebay all the time. Maybe it'll get reissued thanks to the book. That would be a nice bi-product. Our second record "Never Get Used To It" and the singles that were released around that time are available on itunes and amazon, I think. I did try and make the reading experience interactive and the 33 Days website is designed for that purpose, but the truth is I initially thought about making "33 Days" fictional or just slap a "base on true events" tag on it because I didn't want the book to be limited or relegated to the band memoir scrap heap. Because it's not a conventional story about a band's conquests on the road. If anything, it sets out to debunk a lot of rock and roll myths and show what it's really like at the most base level and show that, like a lot of other tragically under appreciated bands, we made music because it hurts too much not to.
Your bio states that you released 5 solo records. Can you tell us a bit more about those?
After Divine Weeks broke up, I spent a lot of time staring into my ceiling trying to figure out what to do next. I spent a few years dabbling in different genres and my first solo record "Lovecoats" reflects that. Kind of all over the map. "In Sickness and In Health" was my second record and as the title suggests is sort of me musing on the mysteries of marriage. After that I did a record called "That Mercury Sound" which is a more a soundscape record. Soundtrack stuff. Then I did a record called "Union" which was my response to 9/11 and George W. Bush's America. And the last thing I did was "Hillflower Grace" which is about love, intimacy, and finding out my heart was still capable of loving and being loved. It's funny, after making music for 25 years I'd never really done a record completely about love. I've always said if you want to know something about me listen to my music. It's all there. I don't write lyrics so it makes you feel like you're reading tea leaves. My life is all there in the songs and my records all capture a time and place and specific portion of my life. And as I say at the end of "33 Days," I'll be making music until my last breath. Whether it's music that ends up on the radio, on record or just stuck in an old shoe box stuck in the back of my closet. I'm a lifer.
From reading 33 Days, I got the impression that the month you spent together as a band touring was pretty intense and emotional; you all learnt a lot about each other. Do you still keep in touch with the other band members?
Well, we grew up out there on the road. Our lives were changed. It's impossible to deny or play down an experience like we had. I can't say we knew what was in store for us when we left, but we did leave town all feeling like it was going to be a watershed moment if just let it. And it was. We all had a lot of baggage we tried to leave behind, but it followed us anyway. We were 22 and facing big nagging life decisions. Rigid cultural expectations, stultifying family dynamics, decisions on school, deteriorating relationships. Had we not been best of friends first, maybe things would have been simpler albeit lonelier. "33 Days" is as much about friendship and finding out what you're really made of for the first time in your life. And that's why I chose that time period for the book because there's nothing like that 22 year old voice -- first time out on your own and no where and no one else to turn to but each other. So to answer your question, yeah, I'm in touch with the band. It's like having war buddies who share near death experiences. It makes for life long bonds.
Divine Weeks certainly seemed to create quite a stir in the LA music scene in the late ‘80s. Are you still quite well known as a musician out there? And, since releasing the book have you re-connected with any old Divine Weeks fans
Divine Weeks had modest success. We were a big deal around L.A. for a time but on a relative scale. We were not a big major label band. I'm not well known so much anymore, but sure, the book has stirred some interest, and I've been reacquainted with some folks who followed us back in the day. I've got a lot of friends who were in bands that had more success so in promoting "33 Days" I've tried to make it clear the book is not the Divine Weeks story. I didn't set out to try and prove my case that Divine Weeks not making it was some great act of injustice. Basically I wanted to write a book about a moment at the crossroads of our lives. That now or never moment we all have at about 22 where we have to seize or moment or fold up our tent. "33 Days" is for two distinct audiences. For those of us in our 40s or beyond, it's supposed to make you sit up in the middle of your life and ask yourself did you seize your moment? And it's for kids in high school or college just coming up to that crossroads, and it's a cautionary tale about the perils of sitting on your dreams.
Many bands from the ‘80s have regrouped for reunion tours lately. Have you ever considered doing this with Divine Weeks?
Divine Weeks regrouped for one show in 2004 as a send off to our bass player George Edmondson before he headed back east to become a professor at Dartmouth. I'd never play a Divine Weeks show without each original member of the band in place. Our guitar player Rajesh Makwana and I played a few Divine Weeks songs as part of my book release party here in L.A. last month, and it was a great to revisit those songs, but no, unless it was all four of us, I could never call it a Divine Weeks show.
[image error]
For those who may not have heard of the band, or listened to the free mp3s on your website, how would you describe Divine Weeks’ sound?
Divine Weeks was a live band. Very physical, visceral band. In the book I called us musically close to The Who at Woodstock circa 1969 crossed with early REM. That's a fairly close description but probably still not quite there.
Many people have been comparing the recent changes in the indie book publishing world (the advent of ebooks, and self-publishing becoming more acceptable) with the way the indie music scene broke through into the mainstream. As someone who has experience in the indie music scene, what is your take on this?
I think there's a lot of similarities so far as technology opening up the possibilities to authors in the same way the internet fazed out total reliance on the middle man in music. That being record companies, record stores and distributors. The music business was revolutionized by the internet whereas in the publishing world, we're still in the early transition period so it remains to be seen whether we'll see the same overhaul or not. I think it'll depend on how the publishing world reacts to it. History has already shown us the music industry reacted slowly and arrogantly to file sharing. For all the talk of the morality of illegal downloading, the music business itself has only itself to blame. File sharing and illegal downloading was the reaction of consumers who didn't want to pay $20 for a CD that had only one good song on it. I don't know if you can make an equal comparison with the publishing industry, but certainly the insular world of publishing elicited a similar level of outrage from aspiring authors. So, we'll see.
In your opinion, is it easier or harder for a new band to make it in the music industry these days than in the 1980s?
I think the answer is, “making it” has been redefined. I mean, it all comes down to motives. If flying around in Leer jets is your standard of success, well, that takes a lot of money and hype behind you, so you'll probably have to find a major label and then pray for a lot of luck. But honestly, the old model of getting signed to a major record label and slowly building a body of work over a number of albums is a thing of the past. It's all about "the song" now. With the music industry in such a state of flux, “making it” is such a relative term now. What’s happened the last 10 years in the music business is the full maturation and modernization of the original D.I.Y. indie credo: eliminating the middle man, no longer having to be reliant on record labels, radio stations and traditional media outlets. Going indie is not just some middle finger to corporate America. It’s actually the only logical choice. But you can’t be afraid of work, rejection, and learning how to become web savvy.
I imagine that as a musician you keep up to date with the current music scene? I saw your video on YouTube about the music scene in LA back in the ‘80s. How much has it changed since then?
Well, you have to keep in mind, I came by way of the punk rock D.I.Y. movement of eschewing major labels, putting out your own records and booking your own tours. I was inspired by the whole idea that success doesn't come to you. You go to it. So while a lot of my peers in the 80s sat home making demo after demo and sending them off to big record companies who didn't know what they were doing, I was following the breadcrumbs left on the highway by bands like Black Flag, the Minutemen and Husker Du. The culture was to do it yourself. Get in a van, and take it to the people, forget staying in hotels, ask from the stage for a floor to sleep on. That's still going on for a lot of young bands. What's changed is the internet.
It's revolutionized everything and empowered indie bands everywhere. With a mobile network, laptop, and printer, you can make CDs, stickers and t-shirts from the back of your van, and consequently you can actually make some money while on the road. With Facebook, Twitter and YouTube you can get the word out about gigs, post live clips, release new downloadable songs anytime you like – self-promoting with little or no overhead cost.
It’s a new world now with bands finding alternative ways to get the word out. Some are still hitting the highways like always and some are “touring” virtually by monetizing its videos on YouTube. It's an exciting time. We’ll see where we are in 10 years as bands continue to evolve the new paradigm of touring, weaning themselves from reliance on labels and reestablishing an intimate connection with the audience.
What music do you enjoy listening to these days? Do you have any favourite bands?
Arcade Fire is the best big band in the world right now. And they still seem hungry. The proverbial sky is the limit for them. Anything Jack White does I love. I like Death Cab for Cutie's new record. Wilco has a new record coming out without a major label behind it that I'm looking forward to. I didn't love Radiohead's new record, but I'm still a fan. I'd like to see a strong willed producer come in and order them around for their next record. The Kings of Leon next record will be telling. They're at the same place U2 was in the mid 80s before they made the Joshua Tree. They could become the biggest band in the world with the right record, but we'll see how bad they want it.
CDs or mp3s/downloads? Which do you prefer?
I still listen to vinyl and cassette tapes! But I do listen to CDs, I do download MP3s, and I do love my ipod. So as a music fan, I welcome anything that improves the listening experience. For the music maker, taking a historical perspective, I'm saddened that the art of album making is dying. I'm a fan of bands and artists who show over the course of an entire album where they are and where they're headed.
In the mid-90s with FCC deregulating media and the rise of media conglomerates people forgot that record companies were beholden to radio, who were beholden to advertisers, so radio would hone in on only a snippet of a song. Radio would go back to labels and say your music didn’t test well and ask bands what else they had. So, it really became the search for THE SONG. Not a body of work. “What’s that song?” Not WHO does that song. We don’t care about a band’s career anymore. What we care about is hunting and gathering. We’ve got to have it. Not much different than the search to find the shades or shoes you saw Angelina Jolie wear in her latest movie. Gotta have it.
What was the last CD/mp3 you purchased?
Can't remember which was the last, but it was either the new Death Cab for Cutie's record or Adele's "Rolling In The Deep." I'm late to the Death Cab for Cutie party, but like their new record. And I love Adele's voice and love that she doesn't have a perfect pop star body.
Do you have any tips for musicians who may be starting out now and maybe planning a similar tour to Divine Weeks’ 1987 tour?
What did Bette Davis say? "Growing old isn't for sissies." Same thing for trying to make it on your own in the music business. It ain't for sissies. Basically it comes down to motives. If making music to you is art and a source of salvation and sustenance, going indie is a true viable option now. Forget trying to get signed to a major label and forget trying to get played on commercial radio. That old model is dead. Don't sit there waiting to be discovered. Go out there and make it happen. Don't tell me you would if you the had time or the know how. Those are just justifications for inaction. What’s happened in the last 10 years in the music business is the full maturation and modernization of the original D.I.Y. indie credo: eliminating the middle man, no longer having to be reliant on record labels, radio stations and traditional media outlets. But you can't be afraid of work. You've got to be web savvy, singular minded and committed to your goals, and reconcile that success is relative and something you have to define for yourself. Going indie is not just some middle finger to corporate America. If you know what you're doing and if you align yourself with band members that share your desire and vision, you can make a sustainable living now out on the road. What's great is there are so many resources to get tips for how to do it now. When we headed out on our first tour, all we had was word of mouth.
Your book is ultimately all about following your dream. What is your dream these days?
I spent 12 years writing my book so that, at the end of the day, I had exactly the story I needed to tell. No compromises. The motive was to be completely at peace before I let it go. That's something I knew I needed to achieve in order to be in the proper frame of mind to try and sell the movie rights. "33 Days" is filled with these made for the movies set pieces. I didn't set out to make it like that. It just naturally worked that way. So that's the next dream, I guess. And you know, it would be odd seeing someone take something so close and intimate and change it, but hey, I wrote the story I needed to tell and if someone buys the movie and changes it, this would be a good problem to have.
Do you have any tips for someone who is considering self-publishing their own book?
Don’t wait until you publish to start researching marketing and publicity. The one concession I’d make to commerce over art would be titling the book. That’s the number one search tool. Really think about the keywords people would use to find not just your type of book but things that may be connected to it and get those in your title. Utilize facebook, twitter, youtube and have an interactive website. And most importantly, don’t let go of editing the book until you are truly at peace with it. Because if you put yourself in the position of standing there waiting for someone to validate something you’ve poured your heart and soul into it’s like — holding out a beggar’s bowl and letting what’s dropped in there determine the value of your creation. And that — is a bad scene.
Who are your favourite authors and what is it about their writing that you like?
Well, of the classics, I love Kerouac, Salinger, Bukowski. These are authors that kind of shoved me out the door and hunger for experience. Of the more current ones, I really dug Mark Edmundson's "The Fine Wisdom and Perfect Teachings of the Kings of Rock and Roll" and Mahbod Seraji's "Rooftops of Tehran." Both are great modern day coming of age stories. I tend to gravitate to that genre and like I said, "33 Days" is modeled on that.
Is there a book you own that you’ve read more than once?
Gosh, several. "To Kill A Mockingbird," "On The Road," and "Catcher in The Rye," to name a few.
What was the last book you read?
Rob Sheffield's Love Is a Mix Tape. Very moving, very funny. Highly recommended.
Are you reading a book at the moment?
I'm reading the new Bob Mould book. He's a personal hero of mine. Plus it's put out on my old friend Reagan Arthur's company who also put out Tina Fey's book. I love to see great things happen for great people.
What do you think of ebooks?
I love them. I have my Kindle, and it's really made me get back into reading all the time. I think for self published authors, it's great because it's so affordable to produce and get out there. I don't agree with the criticism I hear from other self published authors who say we shouldn't sell ebooks for $2.99 or $1.99 or whatever because it makes it impossible for people selling them for what the major publishing houses sell them for. I think that's short-sighted. Especially if we're talking about a first book. It's all about getting as many eyes on your book as possible, building a brand name, and then slowly building a body of work. If you got into self publishing to make money, good luck to you, but personally I'd rather have people actually read my book than be obsessed over my profit margin.
What are you working on now?
To be honest, publicizing "33 Days" is a full time job. I had no idea finding time to write the next book would have to take a back seat like it has. It's frustrating on one level, but for me, I've always moved onto the next project too soon and not stood up for my stuff. I'm not going to let that happen with "33 Days." I believe in this story and I want to see the book get its just due and maybe get it on the big screen.
Where can people buy your book?
All the links to buy the book are on the 33 Days website at http://www.33daysthebook.com/
The ebook is at:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Smashwords
ibookstore
The paperback is at:
Lulu.com
Amazon
Thank you Bill, for answering my questions. It was a pleasure to chat with you.
Remember, you can enter to win a copy of Bill's book by 'liking' this blog post, or leaving a comment below. Good luck!
Music and 'The Dream'
As many of you who follow my blog know, I have a few obsessions... apart from reading and writing, I also love music. I was therefore thrilled to be invited to West of Mars to discuss my new release The Dream and to reveal what songs remind me of the book.
Click on the link, to find out which song I most associate with The Dream, and why...
West of Mars
Thanks to Susan Helene Gottfried, author of Trevor's Song, for inviting me to West of Mars!
Click on the link, to find out which song I most associate with The Dream, and why...
West of Mars
Thanks to Susan Helene Gottfried, author of Trevor's Song, for inviting me to West of Mars!
My New Book Trailer for The Dream
My new and improved book trailer for The Dream is currently being featured on World Versus Me's YouTube Channel!
World Versus Me on YouTube
The backing track for the trailer is 'Mansions of Thought' by World Versus Me. This is the tune I originally wanted to use for the trailer, but initially had to use a different one due to licensing problems. I think it fits the mood of my book well, and goes well with the photographs. Hope you like it!
Check out some of World Versus Me's other tunes while you're at the YouTube Channel! Find out more about their music at their official website:
World Versus Me
[image error]
World Versus Me on YouTube
The backing track for the trailer is 'Mansions of Thought' by World Versus Me. This is the tune I originally wanted to use for the trailer, but initially had to use a different one due to licensing problems. I think it fits the mood of my book well, and goes well with the photographs. Hope you like it!
Check out some of World Versus Me's other tunes while you're at the YouTube Channel! Find out more about their music at their official website:
World Versus Me
[image error]
Celebrate Rocktober with Susan Helene Gottfried at Westofmars!
My good friend and fellow author, Susan Helene Gottfried is celebrating October by combining her twin obsessions, music and books on her website Westofmars. I, too, am a self-confessed music freak, so have decided to celebrate Rocktober with Susan. (It would be great if we could actually change the name of the month permanently to 'Rocktober', it has a certain ring to it.)
In celebration of all things music and literature, I will list below some music inspired books, some of which I have read and enjoyed, others I have yet to read, but are on my to-read list as I would love to read them.
If any of you have other suggestions for music inspired books that should go on my to-read list, let me know :)
As for actual music, there are a few new bands that have caught my eye (or should that be 'caught my ear'?) in recent months who are celebrating new releases. Check out the following:
Le Monnier
[image error]
Get Le Monnier's new single 'Haunt Me' for FREE! Haunt Me Listen to their whole album online: Russian Doll Life
World Versus Me
There are free downloads of a few tracks available, and a new album due out on 11.11.11
[image error]
World Versus Me website
OWL
Currently on tour in NY and LA, Owl have a new album scheduled for release soon.
[image error]
You can watch a video and get free downloads from their debut album on the website here: OWL
Enjoy the books and music!
Happy Rocktober!
In celebration of all things music and literature, I will list below some music inspired books, some of which I have read and enjoyed, others I have yet to read, but are on my to-read list as I would love to read them.
If any of you have other suggestions for music inspired books that should go on my to-read list, let me know :)
As for actual music, there are a few new bands that have caught my eye (or should that be 'caught my ear'?) in recent months who are celebrating new releases. Check out the following:
Le Monnier
[image error]
Get Le Monnier's new single 'Haunt Me' for FREE! Haunt Me Listen to their whole album online: Russian Doll Life
World Versus Me
There are free downloads of a few tracks available, and a new album due out on 11.11.11
[image error]
World Versus Me website
OWL
Currently on tour in NY and LA, Owl have a new album scheduled for release soon.
[image error]
You can watch a video and get free downloads from their debut album on the website here: OWL
Enjoy the books and music!
Happy Rocktober!
Meet author Mark Rice and enter to win a copy of Metallic Dreams!
I am very happy to be introducing you to my guest today. I met Mark Rice through Goodreads. As soon as I saw the cover of his book I knew I had to read it. As many of you already know, I am a heavy metal fan, so how could I not read this book? I had high expectations of Metallic Dreams and it definitely lived up to my expectations. It's a brilliant novel, a perfect gift for the metal fan in your life. It's one of the funniest books I've ever read, too. I almost laughed out loud while reading it in public, a couple of times.
You have the chance to win a print copy of Metallic Dreams, and can choose whether it is signed by the author! In fact, Mark has very generously offered to give away two copies of his book. All you have to do to enter is leave a comment on this blog post, or simply 'Like' the post. Two lucky winners will be picked at random on the 30th November 2011.
A word of warning: This is an adult book and not suitable for readers under the age of 18.
Mark kindly agree to answer a few interview questions I sent him:
Your bio on your Lulu page, states that you started writing at the age of 5. Firstly, that’s quite impressive, is it true? If so, have you kept any of your earlier stories or do you remember what they were about?
It's absolutely true, yes. I grew up in a house with no TV. My father believed that staring at television diminished creativity. The house was full of books, music and musical instruments. My Dad taught me to read (music and words) before I started primary school. We spent endless hours - both at home and in the local library - reading and writing. At the time, I thought the lack of TV at home was a harsh measure, but with hindsight I wouldn't change it, as I learned to love music and literature. My early writing fell mainly into two categories: poems (especially acrostic poems, which I had a real fondness for) or stories involving frogs, witches and trees (which were/are three of my favourite things).
I even made a tree-shaped cover for one of these early stories, and sellotaped various types of bark onto the empty spaces on each page. It was a child's literary equivalent of a concept album, I guess. My mother still has that book. She reckons it's the best thing I've ever written!
Is there a particular author, or book, that inspired you to start writing?
The poetry of Robert Burns has been a presence in my life since early childhood, once again thanks to my father, who was an aficionado of Burns and knew most of his poetry off by heart. Burns's masterful use of language, rhythm and rhyme instilled in me a love of the Scots dialect and inspired me to write poetry. His Magnum Opus, Tam O' Shanter, was partly responsible for my childhood obsession with witches (which I've never fully recovered from - witches still find their way into my writing). As far as prose goes, Douglas Adams's The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy blew my mind with its seamless blend of the profound and the preposterous. At his best, Adams was creativity and cleverness run amok. More than any other author, Douglas Adams inspired me to write novels. So blame him!
Do you have an tips for someone who is considering self-publishing their own book?
Do it. New novelists could wait for years on literary agents finding them a publishing deal. In the meantime, their manuscripts will be a low priority to the agencies acting on their behalf. Self-publishing is easier than ever before, especially with the advent of e-books, so there's no excuse for sitting around waiting on responses from agents and publishers. Start the ball rolling by yourself. If your self-published book becomes a success, established publishing houses will approach you anyway. One thing I'd say is don't ever publish a first draft. My rule is to spend at least as much time editing a piece of work as writing it. This ensures that only polished material goes to print. It also provides priceless editing experience. Another vital skill for writers is marketing their work. Don't wait until your book is published before learning the ins and outs of online marketing. Begin promoting your book before it's published. If you have a well-written blog with followers, that's an excellent start, as those followers will be likely to read your book when it's released.
Your debut novel, Metallic Dreams, is as the title suggests, about heavy metal music. What was the first metal gig you attended, and what are your memories of that gig?
Iron Maiden at Glasgow Apollo, on The Beast on the Road tour in 1982. I was in primary six at the time. Initially, my Mum and Dad had doubts about me going to a metal gig on my own, especially on the mean streets of Glasgow. When my friend David (who was three years older) bought a ticket, my parents became happier about the whole thing, as I wouldn't be going alone. I remember every detail. The support band, The Rods, were so good live that Dave and I didn't think Iron Maiden could possibly top their performance. Then Maiden hit the Apollo stage and blew the roof off the place. I knew their songs inside out, but was used to hearing them in darkened rooms. Seeing those same songs performed live by musical icons clad in spandex, denim. leather and studs was a whole different experience. The wall of sound was vast. The band members' manes of hair billowed under stage lights as they wandered through clouds of dry ice. Just when I thought things couldn't get any better, Maiden's giant mascot Eddie (famous from their album covers) lumbered onto the stage. Beaming at each other, Dave and I shared a telepathic moment, thinking, 'Now this is living!'
One of the questions the rock journalist in your novel asks the band members is ‘What would you change about Heavy Metal?’ What would your answer be to that?
I'd allow gig-goers to carry electric cattle prods into concerts, for the purpose of zapping voltage into anyone who farts during the performance. My friend Darran is a prime example of why I'd introduce this change. More times than I care to remember, Darran has let loose an evil mist during a gig, sending everyone within a ten-foot radius into a state of panic. The most disturbing thing about this is that he enjoys it. If I'd had my electric cattle prod on those occasions, he'd have learned his lesson long ago and would be more considerate as a result. I'd have zapped that deviant grin right off his face.
As for metal music, I'd leave it alone, as it's developing fine by itself without any intervention, spreading out into an ever-expanding number of subgenres, all of which have artistic merit. Lyrically, I'd clean up the shabby grammar and questionable poetics that are a little too prevalent. That'd be my only change.
Do you have a favourite Heavy metal band? If so, what is it about their music that you love?
My all-time favourite band is the AC/DC line-up of Bon Scott (vocals), Angus Young (lead guitar), Malcolm Young (rhythm guitar), Cliff Williams (bass) and Phil Rudd (drums). Their live album If You Want Blood (You've Got It) - recorded at Glasgow Apollo - has been my favourite album since I first heard it at age eleven. The energy level is off the scale, the songs are anthemic, Bon's vocals are flawless and the guitar riffs can strip wallpaper.
Of currently existing line-ups, my favourite two bands are from Finland - Insomnium and Amorphis. They both have a stunning ability to blend extreme heaviness with poignant melodies, as well as writing beautiful lyrics influenced by their country's folklore. I should also mention Nimbatus, a musical project which is the brainchild of one genius, Marco Jodocy, who plays guitars, bass, keyboards, drums, strings and various other instruments, all to an astonishingly high standard; the result sounds like a heavy metal orchestra, yet it's all the work of one man.
Without giving any of the story away, a couple of taboo/controversial topics are explored in Metallic Dreams, were you ever worried about how people would react to the said content?
No. I don't believe in censoring my art or walking on eggshells. I think the best way for a writer to shine light on a particular prejudice isn't to preach against it (which can annoy readers), but to create storylines - often shocking ones - which highlight the futility of that prejudice, leaving readers to draw their own conclusions. It worked for Aesop with his fables all those centuries ago, and it still works today.
There are five members of Transcend Everything, the metal band in Metallic Dreams, with very different personalities. Were any of them based on people you know and/or famous band members?
All five band members were based on people I know and grew up with. The names have been (slightly) changed to protect the guilty.
It is said that writers put a lot of their own soul into their fiction work. How autobiographical is the book?
That's a loaded question if ever I saw one! The early chapters are much more autobiographical than the later ones. As for which events actually happened, I'm not telling!
How long did it take to write Metallic Dreams?
One year to write then two years to edit and polish.
As well as Metallic Dreams, you have a story featured in an anthology A Blended Bouquet. Can you tell us a little bit more about how that anthology came about, and a bit about your featured story?
Five years ago I was lucky enough to become part of Writers Inc, which was started by author/playwright Drew Campbell back in the '90s. Based in East Kilbride (the town in which I grew up), the group includes writers from a variety of disciplines: authors, poets, playwrights, screenwriters, songwriters and short-story writers. Writers Inc had already published two anthologies when I joined, with a third on the horizon. After I'd been part of the group for three years, the elusive third anthology showed no sign of becoming a reality. In fact, it had become a bone of contention within the group, with arguments exploding over whether or not it should be themed or free-form. Realising that this non-existent book was causing chaos among the group, I stepped up to the plate, took over as chairperson (by vote, I should stress, not by force!) and offered to edit, compile and publish the anthology. All I needed from the other members was their submissions and - as if by magic - I'd make the anthology appear. The others liked this idea. Submissions arrived thick and fast. My story, Revelation Was Wrong, tells the tale of a drunken Scottish prophet who claims to be a descendant of Nostradamus. It's a light-hearted piece of social commentary infused with a healthy dose of preposterousness. The idea for Tam, the unlikely prophet who foretold that the end of the world would be heralded by the 'Buckfast Apocalypse', came to me out of the air one day. In my mind's eye I saw Tam, knew him, so I figured I should tell his story. I'd long been fascinated by tales of the Brahan Seer (Coinneach Odhar), Scotland's answer to Nostradamus. This fascination probably played a subconscious role in inspiring Revelation Was Wrong. A strange thing happened with regards to the anthology: James Pettigrew and I both submitted poems called Homecoming, each with very different subject matter. His dealt with the desecration of Scotland's wild places, while mine told the true story of taking my father's ashes to his home, the Isle of Lewis. At first, we thought that one of us would have to change the title of his poem. Then we realised that 2009 - the year of the anthology's publication - was the 250th anniversary of the birth of Scotland's national bard, Robert Burns, and events to celebrate this milestone were being marketed under the banner Homecoming Scotland. James and I looked at each other and smiled, realising that the Universe had somehow lined up these serendipitous events. As a tribute to Burns, James and I left the titles of our poems unchanged. My Homecoming opens the anthology and James's Homecoming closes it in style.
Are the rumours true, did you sell your soul to the devil in exchange for literary prowess? After reading Metallic Dreams, I am left wondering...
Auld Nick and I are acquainted, but we're neither friends nor enemies.
Who are your favourite authors and what is it about their writing that you like?
Douglas Adams blows my mind with his cleverness, creativity and humour. Salman Rushdie's command of descriptive prose is out of this world, as is his ability to weave myriad story strands into a coherent, interconnected whole. Markus Zusak's writing - especially in The Book Thief - has immaculate delicacy and tenderness. By succeeding without pandering to literary trends, Irvine Welsh opened the floodgates and showed that it was possible for a Scottish author to be fearless, funny and authentic. Tom Bryan, under whose strict tutelage I learned a lot, is a master of saying more with less; Tom taught me the importance of relentless editing. Kevin MacNeil is a force of nature whose writing is shaped by a poet's soul and a wonderful Hebridean heart. The heavy metal legend Zodiac Mindwarp (who writes books under his real name, Mark Manning) is monumentally creative and side-splittingly funny. And Bill Drummond...well, everything he does is pure art.
Is there a book you own that you’ve read more than once?
There are several. One that might surprise some people is The Bible, which I read cover to cover countless times while still at primary school. I've read all the Douglas Adams books multiple times. I liked Raymond E. Feist's Faerie Tale enough to read it twice. Zen Flesh, Zen Bones: A Collection of Zen and Pre-Zen Writings is another one that's been read multiple times. There are loads of others too, but these are the ones that spring to mind.
What was the last book you read?
The Silver Mist by Martin Treanor. The main character, Eve, moved me to tears more than once. Set in Northern Ireland during the '70s, the story - especially the dialogue - has gorgeous Irish warmth. A beautifully written novel.
Are you reading a book at the moment?
Gods Without Men by Hari Kunzru. Rather impressive.
What do you think of ebooks?
As a writer, I love them. As a reader, I prefer the tactile experience of handling a paperback.
How important are reviews for you as a writer?
Very important. They influence potential buyers and - in extreme cases - can affect the way a writer perceives his/her work. Writers, like other artists, tend to be sensitive souls who can take negative reviews personally. It's an amazing feeling to know that a story has made an emotional connection with a reader. It's always heartening to hear that a story I've created has resonated with a reader. I'm also happy to read constructive criticism...if it's justified. The only review that ever riled me was by a wannabe literary critic who started out by saying, 'I'm a music critic, not a book critic.' He should have left it at that, as what followed was incoherent, immature and peppered with grammatical mistakes such as misconjugated verbs. His voice was that of a pseudo-superior smartarse, yet he had trouble correctly constructing a sentence. I did the unthinkable for a writer: I posted a comprehensive rebuttal of the entire 'review', ripping it to shreds, pointing out every grammatical error, highlighting his absolute failure to perceive message/humour in the story, and advising him to stick to his day job and leave literary criticism to those equipped to do it properly. So yes, reviews - whether glowing or scathing - have an impact.
How did you choose the cover for Metallic Dreams?
I had various ideas in mind, one of which was a pentalpha (pentagram) in blood, as that symbol and substance are integral to the story. The artist David Gurrea had created the exact pentalpha I'd envisioned, red blood on a white canvas. (Albums by Venom and Bathory had featured the pentalpha and goat's head, but the goat/Devil head David Gurrea created was a million times more menacing, right down to the way one eye was half shut, creating the impression that the beast was glaring out at the viewer.) I contacted David, who was happy for me to use his artwork. A fiddly job ensued: using Photoshop to remove every single drop of spattered blood from the white canvas, then superimposing them onto the book cover I'd created.
What are you working on now?
My second novel, which is set on the Isle of Lewis, in Scotland's remote Outer Hebrides. I won't reveal more than that just now, as I don't want to jinx it. I'm also working on a few poems, a couple of short stories and one not-so-short story (about witchcraft in Scotland). See what I mean about those witches? They always find a way into my work. While researching the story, I accessed the University of Edinburgh's 'Survey of Scottish Witchcraft Database', which is the most comprehensive record of the witch trials that happened here. I discovered that four members of my family, all on my mother's side, were tried as witches. Worryingly, but not surprisingly, there is no record of what happened to them after the trial. It doesn't take a genius to figure out what that means. Perhaps that's why witches have always been in my consciousness: maybe I could sense that ancestors had suffered inhuman treatment after being accused of witchcraft.
Where can people buy your book?
Lulu
Amazon UK
Amazon US
Smashwords
Do you have your own website or blog where people can read more about your work?
Thanks for answering my questions, Mark and for the great giveaway!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Remember, all you have to do to enter the competition is leave a comment here, or simply 'Like' the post. Good luck!
Mark is a charming and friendly author and is here on Goodreads, so don't forget to add him as a friend!
Meet author Caryn Rose and enter to win an ebook copy of B-Sides and Broken Hearts!
B-Sides and Broken Hearts is a must read for all music lovers. It's one of the best books I've read this year, and I'm very happy to be introducing you to the author, Caryn Rose. I met Caryn when I requested her book for review on Bookpleasures.com recently.
I wanted to spread the word about this fabulous book so I invited her to my blog for an interview. Caryn has generously agreed to give away 3 ebook copies of her book. All you have to do to enter is leave a comment below, or simply 'Like' this blog post. The winners will be picked at random on the 3rd December 2011.
Here's the interview:
In B-Sides and Broken Hearts, Lisa’s life is changed for ever when she finds out that Joey Ramone has died. As a music fan I could relate to this emotional reaction. It really grabbed my attention and made me want to read on. In fact, I think it’s one of the best opening chapters I've read in a book recently. Have you ever been that affected by a musical icon passing away, and are there any memories you can share with us about this?
I was terribly impacted by John Lennon's death as a teenager. It was definitely a life-changing moment. I felt like it made me grow up or at least took me out of the bubble I had been living in. My parents wouldn't let me go in to the Dakota to stand vigil but my mother did take me into the city so I could go to the memorial in Central Park. Johnny Thunders made me extremely sad; I was living thousands of miles away at the time and an old friend from college went to considerable trouble to find me and make sure I knew. John Entwistle was another big loss for me personally (I actually have a manuscript in the drawer where the Who's first concert after John's death is a pivotal moment for the main characters) because the Who were such a huge band for me. Of course, our recent loss of the Big Man, Clarence Clemons was just devastating. And there are plenty of other ones in between.
I'm sure someone's going to ask "What about Kurt Cobain" but I didn't feel Nirvana's music on that kind of deep, essential level. I thought it was a horrible loss and my heart just went out to the kids who looked up to him, especially the ones who had trouble explaining to their parents why he meant so much. I was lucky that my parents' reaction at Lennon's death wasn't "Well, he was just a rock musician."
In your book, Lisa and her friends collect old vinyl records, first editions, limited editions etc., is this something you have ever done as a hobby, and do you own any rare records?
Guilty as charged. I have a large vinyl collection that I just can't seem to let go of. I miss the ritual of record shows and record collecting. I know I can just go on the internet now and find whatever I happen to be looking for, but mostly I miss the social aspect of going to stores in different cities and meeting people at record fairs. I'd love to list the things I'm proud of but I'd rather not tempt fate. Sorry. Paranoid New Yorker.
Your book is written in the first person, with Lisa as the narrator. I was often left with the feeling that I was reading a memoir as the characters are so realistic. Did you base any of the characters on people you know? And following on from that, how auto-biographical is the book?
I get asked this question a lot and I will just say that while I appreciate that readers care so much about the book, it really is a novel. B-sides is not thinly-veiled memoir, it is absolutely fiction. The book is true emotionally and it doesn't matter whether or not thing X happened to me in exactly the same way Lisa experienced it. Just like any writer, I based my characters on little bits of people I have known over the years, but there is no one-to-one mapping. Everyone thinks they know who the band is and who some of the characters are, and I love the enthusiasm behind that, but unfortunately they aren't correct!
As well as being a talented writer, I see from your website that you’re also a photographer who documents rock and roll, baseball and urban life. Tell us a bit more about that.
At one point in my life I thought I might pursue professional photography, but eventually went in another direction. I picked up a camera when I first moved back to New York in 2004 and with the advent of Flickr, suddenly found myself taking images that people were enjoying. When I started getting into baseball, around the same time, the camera came with me. I take less concert photos these days because it's harder to do than when I first started but I still like taking photos of what's around live music.
Do you have a favourite photograph that you’ve taken?
I have a few, but one of my favorites is the photograph on the cover of B-sides! The feet belong to Dave and Serge Bielanko of the band Marah.
Do you have plans to write any more fiction?
Yes. I plan on releasing one book a year for the next five years, including a sequel to B-sides! There will probably be more, but right now I have the next four planned.
How long did it take you to write B-Sides and Broken Hearts?
It took me a year, but I started a very long time ago. Revision and querying agents took another two years. And then the book sat with an agent for about six years, while I tried to write another book that she liked. When she rejected the second manuscript, that was when I decided to publish myself. I can finish a book in about a year and now that I'm self publishing that's what I'm going to try to aim for.
Who is your favourite ever band/musician?
I wish I had just one, but one thing I share with Lisa is her broad love for music. It would be a long list - the Ramones, the Who, the Rolling Stones, the Clash, Patti Smith, the Replacements, Bruce Springsteen, the Afghan Whigs - you'll find those all in heavy rotation on my iPod.
[image error][image error]What’s the best ever gig you’ve attended, and why?
I have trouble limiting it to the 10 best let alone narrowing it down to just one! They all share the same element of once-in-a-lifetime, energy from band and crowd feeding off each other-ness. I can tell it was good if my hands hurt and my throat is sore and my feet ache.
Much of your book revolves around the main characters’ love of the bands of the ‘70s. How do you think the current music scene compares with that of the ‘70s?
I do not subscribe to the popular theory that "all music today sucks, it was better back in the [insert decade here]". You can't compare this decade to the 70s because the landscape has completely changed. A kid sitting in the middle of the Midwest with a computer can put out a record and sell it internationally without leaving his or her house. I do wonder sometimes about what we miss out or what we lose on when bands can no longer afford to tour and when there aren't enough venues for a fledgling band to play enough gigs to learn how to play live.
Do you keep up to date with new popular music, and if so, what are your current favourite bands/artists?
I don't have any big recent favorites. The most recent bands I decided I liked was Arcade Fire and the Hold Steady, and they're not even new. The last opening act I saw that blew me away was an act called She Keeps Bees.
It's tough. I listen to a new band and can pull apart the influences immediately, whereas a kid who hears them for the first time is, well, hearing them for the first time. I went to see Lou Reed with a younger friend and she said that she spent the first half of the show thinking, "I don't understand why he's such a big deal, he sounds like everyone else" until she realized "OH WAIT, it's the other way around."
Do you have any tips for someone who is considering self-publishing their own book?
Edit, edit, edit and edit again. Self-publishing is a lot of work and you have to be super super super organized. I could do an entire interview just about the self-publishing process. If you want to be taken seriously, be as professional as you can. Of course, your mileage may vary but this has worked for me.
Read up as much as you can about the process and learn from other people's mistakes. So many self-published, indie authors are generous with their advice and there are countless blogs & articles out there if you just look.
Is there a book you own that you’ve read more than once?
More like dozens. I read To Kill a Mockingbird every year it seems, I love re-reading Joan Didion, and I've even reread Don DeLillo's Underworld twice. I love revisiting YA books I loved like The Phantom Tollbooth or Harriet the Spy to remember why I got excited about books in the first place.
Are you reading any books at the moment?
I am reading two: Inferno by Eileen Myles, The Last Sultan by Robert Greenfield. I just finished You Can Make Him Like You by Ben Tanzer.
What do you think of ebooks compared to print books?
Ebooks allow me to read more, so I love them. I still purchase print books (and indie books, and best sellers, and used books) but ebooks let me use as much of my spare time to read as possible. I was shocked by how many ebooks I sold - i thought the ebooks would be an afterthought and that everyone would want a paperback. I imagine this will change, a lot, as the years roll by.
How important are reviews for you as a writer?
I believe that reviews are important so that readers can assure themselves that they aren't going to waste their money. I think that any kind of press gets people interested in buying your book and then reviews help assure them that they're making the right purchase. I try hard to take the advice to not read reviews of my book but the first time out it's been tough to stick to that advice. But they are absolutely necessary.
How did you go about choosing the cover for your book?
I hired a professional designer to put the cover together. I have seen a lot of terrible covers for self-published books and believed that a sharp, professional-looking cover was going to matter a lot. (And I was right - most people, including professional book reviewers, did not know the book was self-published.) I knew I wanted to use original photography and I had it narrowed down to two photos. I looked at the web sites of every single cover designer I could find before I found someone whose work I liked. Then the artist disappeared for two months, and I had to start over again. The saying "You get what you pay for" is absolutely true in the case of cover design - not just from a design perspective, but finding someone who could meet the print standards for my printing house and not just leave it to me to flail around and try to get it right. I know a lot of people say that it doesn't matter and that you can do it yourself but I felt that design and editing were the two areas that self-published books regularly shot themselves in the foot and I wanted to do everything I could to give my book a fighting chance.
Where can people buy your book?
You can buy signed copies (and I can sign Kindle versions) on my site: B-Sides and Broken Hearts
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Indiebound
Powell's
Barnes & Noble
If you live in New York City, WORD in Brooklyn carries it; in Seattle, Vain on First Avenue carries the book.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you, Caryn, for answering my questions!
Remember, you can win an ebook copy of B-Sides and Broken Hearts Just leave a comment or click 'Like' to enter!! Good luck!!
My favourite books - May Selection
As many of you already know, I am running a series on my blog where each month I will pick one of my favourite indie books to recommend.
Here are my picks so far:
January:
historical romance
February:
murder/mystery
March:
humour
April:
supernatural/suspense
This month will be slightly different, as I will be recommending 5 books that all have a similar theme.
I read a lot of books that have been inspired in some way by music. I am quite obsessed with music :) I don't necessarily seek out books to read that have music as a theme but somehow I end up reading a lot of them. I have read many outstanding books by indie writers recently that have musical themes, so I thought it would make sense to recommend them together.
Firstly, I would like to recommend Metallic Dreams by Mark Rice
This one is simply a must read if you're a heavy metal or rock fan. This is one of my all time favourite books. The humour is wonderful and will have you laughing out loud. I'd recommend it to any music fan actually. Of course, this book can only be read by those with an open mind as there is some controversial content that may offend if taken out of context. One for the over 18s.
Here's the review I wrote when I read the book:
I thoroughly enjoyed this book from beginning to end. It's about a young man, Spark, who always dreamt of becoming a big name in heavy metal music. In his late teens he was part of a band 'Blood Brothers' who went their separate ways before they could make it into the big time. Some years later, Spark has a life changing experience and as a consequence he becomes determined to put his old band back together and live his dream. His belief is that the band will become successful, and he doesn't want to live his life in a dead end job when his passion lies in music. At its core, Metallic Dreams is about finding the courage to follow your dream, no matter how difficult it might seem to be. It is also about the power of love. It is indie fiction at its best, breaking out of the boundaries set by genre, and experimenting with new and exciting ways to write a story. It is extremely funny; hilarious in parts. I almost laughed out loud in public a few times whilst reading it. It does contain some controversial topics and taboo subjects, but those topics are skillfully woven into the story making them a realistic portrayal of very vivid characters' lives and experiences. This book is very original and entertaining. I would recommend Metallic Dreams to music fans, especially rock and heavy metal fans, as you will find much to relate to in the book. Due to some of the content in this book I would say it is only suitable for over 18s. I am looking forward to more books by this talented writer.
If you'd like to find out a bit more about the book, and the fabulous writer, here's a link to a recent radio interview where he talks about his writing journey and reads an excerpt from the book: Melissa Craig and Charity Parkerson Show. It's a very entertaining interview. (I was honoured to have been mentioned by the author in this interview!)
The next book, I would like to recommend is 33 Days: Touring In A Van. Sleeping On Floors. Chasing A Dream. by Bill See
Bill was the lead singer of the '80s rock band Divine Weeks, and this book is a memoir. It is a diary of a 33 day tour by the band. It's in essence a book about following your dream.
Here's my review:
‘It’s not about the having and the getting, it’s about the being and becoming.’
The story of a 33 day tour by the band Divine Weeks. Bill See, the author, was the lead singer of the L.A. band who enjoyed some notoriety in the ‘80s.
In this memoir, See has collected together journal entries and memories to create much more than just a tour diary. He documents the tour with a great descriptive narrative that really captures the moment and brings his memories to life. He also talks about his own dysfunctional home life, which in some ways spurred him on to chase his dream.
See is a talented writer, who is able to impart wisdom and knowledge through his prose.
I enjoyed reading about the band’s progression from an unknown group who played only weekday gigs in their home town, to a successful band touring nationwide. But this is not just a story about the band’s journey, it’s also about the individual band members’ personal journeys along the way. See’s introspective and thought-provoking prose make the book a compulsive and insightful read.
We follow the band on their first real tour, across the US and Canada in 1987, where they play small venues, often to a handful of people. But the band’s passion is such that they are determined to do anything to reach their dream of one day becoming real rock stars. They survive with hardly any money and sleep in a van and cheap hotels, or even on friends’ floors. There is a lot of humour sprinkled throughout the book which makes it an enjoyable read. I liked the fact that the author has included photographs of memorable parts of the tour and his life in the book. It gives an extra dimension to the story.
As well as being an enthralling tour diary, this book deals with such subjects as family life, alcoholism, racism, dysfunctional families, relationships, friendship, loyalty, and the power of dreams.
Divine Weeks’s story is an inspirational one that shows what someone can achieve if they follow their dream. The author captures the essence of the book best, when he says: ‘This book is for everyone who’s stood at their crossroads with a dream screaming inside wondering whether to choose the road that goes off the map or fold up their tent and head back home.’
Highly recommended.
The great thing about this book is that it is about a real band with real music. After reading the book, I looked up some of their music on YouTube and really like it. That makes the book extra special. Here's a link to the book trailer that also includes clips of their music. 33 Days Book Trailer
Bill See has an exceptional gift for writing and getting his message across. He comes across as very wise; a true artist.
33 Days is another must read for music fans, and for anyone who has ever had a dream. It's one of those books that stays with you long after you've read it. A permanent favourite.
Thirdly, I am recommending a wonderful novel, B-Sides and Broken Hearts by Caryn Rose
This one had me hooked from the start. I could relate to the main character, a music lover to whom music is like a lifeline.
Here's the review I wrote when I read the book:
B-Sides and Broken Hearts is the story of 37 year-old Lisa, who is finding it hard coming to terms with the death of Joey Ramone, one of her favourite musicians. His death forces her to think about her life and she finds that she is not happy. Her relationship with the predictable, Ian, is not the type of relationship she had envisaged for herself when she was young. The death of Joey Ramone leads to a torrent of emails from Lisa’s music-loving friends, and puts her back in touch with Jake, the singer with a successful band, Blue Electric. Lisa had been there with Jake and the rest of the band right from the start when they were unknown and penniless. She watched them grow into a band that could fill arenas. However, for the past 5 years her relationship with the band has been overshadowed by the fact that her boyfriend shows little interest in getting to know them. From the outside, all of Lisa’s friends have always thought she should have ended up with Jake. None of her friends like Ian. After Joey Ramone’s death, when Ian fails to understand why she is so upset, Lisa makes the decision to visit her old friends in LA. She packs some belongings, mainly CDs for the journey, and drives all night to revisit her past. Lisa goes on a journey in this novel, to find the person she really is. After a tragic relationship when she was younger, she had lost her way. Will her old friends in LA help her reconnect with the real Lisa?
This book is about dreams, friends, love, relationships, and above all it is about music and how music can have a profound influence on our lives.
I would recommend this book to anyone who has ever felt that the world had ended because their favourite band split up, anyone who obsessively waited for new albums to be released by their favourite bands and spent their last pennies on gigs and records, anyone who has ever screamed the lyrics to their favourite songs while driving in their car... This is a book for dreamers, and reaffirms the importance of believing in your dreams, and following your heart.
It is well written and engaging. I found myself feeling sad when I knew that the story would soon end. The ending is poignant and uplifting at the same time. This is a must read for music lovers.
This is a novel but reads almost like a memoir. Again it's a must read for music lovers. I found it hard to put down, and really wanted to know what was going to happen to the characters.
The next book I'm recommending is by wonderfully talented musician and writer, who is also very friendly and supportive of fellow artists.
Pixels of Young Mueller by Jerry Schwartz is a coming of age story about a boy who always dreamed of becoming a rock star.
It's about how life can get in the way of our dreams. In a similar way to B-Sides and Broken Hearts, it reads almost like a memoir. And, like 33 Days, it has the added bonus of being based on an actual band. Jerry is the lead singer/musician behind the band The Jerrys whose music is mentioned in the book. Here's a link to the band website: The Jerrys
Here's my review:
"My life is a movie in which the main character spends his life running from one dumb job to another" Klaus Mueller.
I really enjoyed this book. It was a breath of fresh air in respect of the honesty of the lead character's thoughts within the pages. At times I was questioning whether this is in fact a memoir or a fictional story, and perhaps the author would like us to wonder about that.
Klaus Mueller is a young boy when we meet him, he has dreams of becoming a rock star. This entertaining story is written in chapters relating to different stages of Mueller's life as he grows from a boy to a man, becomes a husband and a father.
Anyone who has ever wanted to break free from the confines of a 9-5 job will relate to young Mueller; anyone who has ever dreamed to making a living from their artistic endeavours will also relate; anyone who has ever loved music to such a degree that it became all encompassing will relate; and anyone who has just stopped to look around and questioned that there must be more to life than the life they are living will relate to this young man's story. I think that just about covers everyone.
This is a story of an ordinary man who does not live blindly but questions everything around him. It's an entertaining look at life. I found myself agreeing with a lot of the character's opinions about things, and I could relate to the struggles of an artist trying to fit into 'normal' routine existence.
Well written, insightful and thought provoking, with some laugh-out-loud moments, I would recommend this book to everyone. It's also almost a social history book, as notorious events from the past 5 decades are scattered throughout the story. Anyone who grew up in the '60s or '70s will no doubt enjoy this trip down memory lane.
Finally, I'd like to recommend Ladies and Gentlemen...The Redeemers by Michael Scott Miller.
[image error]
Here's my review:
This is a wonderful book, well written and entertaining. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Ladies and Gentlemen... The Redeemers, tells the story of Bert Ingram, a once successful music rep who worked for a major record company. Now facing middle-age, he finds himself destitute with nothing to show for the years he spent following his dream and the passion he has for music and spotting great talent. His former colleagues have given up on him and he seems destined to spend the rest of his life as an outcast. Bert has something to prove, so he makes it his mission to find raw talent among the down and outs in San Francisco; the musicians who play music on the streets. He has already set his sights on a singer he has spotted at Montgomery Street BART Station. We follow Bert as he tries to put together a band of musicians and lead them to super stardom, to prove to his former associates that he is still a major player.
The characters are introduced by the author in individual chapters, where we learn about their backgrounds and lives. Although they are all quite different, they are brought together by one man who has seen something in them. Bert Ingram prides himself on being able to spot talent when he sees it. I liked the interaction between the band members and between Bert and the individuals in the band. It is a very realistic portrayal of a band and all of the behind the scenes aspects of that. I recently read an excellent memoir about the life of a touring band 33 Days by Bill See, and I was reminded of certain parts of that book when I was reading Ladies and Gentlemen... The Redeemers.
The story of The Redeemers teaches us that everyone can learn something from another person, no matter who that person is. It also shows that it is possible for people of different social classes and backgrounds to come together and get along with each other when ignorance and prejudice are set aside.
Ladies and Gentlemen... The Redeemers, reminds us that following our dreams is important, and listening to those who have experience is an important part of the journey.
Highly recommended. A book that music fans will love.
I love the characters in this book, they are so realistic. It's fiction, but you would be mistaken for thinking that the author is writing about real people, real band members. Another book that music lovers will enjoy.
Well, that's all for now. I hope you'll try the books.
Look out for next month's pick!
Here are my picks so far:
January:
historical romanceFebruary:
murder/mysteryMarch:
humourApril:
supernatural/suspenseThis month will be slightly different, as I will be recommending 5 books that all have a similar theme.
I read a lot of books that have been inspired in some way by music. I am quite obsessed with music :) I don't necessarily seek out books to read that have music as a theme but somehow I end up reading a lot of them. I have read many outstanding books by indie writers recently that have musical themes, so I thought it would make sense to recommend them together.
Firstly, I would like to recommend Metallic Dreams by Mark Rice
This one is simply a must read if you're a heavy metal or rock fan. This is one of my all time favourite books. The humour is wonderful and will have you laughing out loud. I'd recommend it to any music fan actually. Of course, this book can only be read by those with an open mind as there is some controversial content that may offend if taken out of context. One for the over 18s.
Here's the review I wrote when I read the book:
I thoroughly enjoyed this book from beginning to end. It's about a young man, Spark, who always dreamt of becoming a big name in heavy metal music. In his late teens he was part of a band 'Blood Brothers' who went their separate ways before they could make it into the big time. Some years later, Spark has a life changing experience and as a consequence he becomes determined to put his old band back together and live his dream. His belief is that the band will become successful, and he doesn't want to live his life in a dead end job when his passion lies in music. At its core, Metallic Dreams is about finding the courage to follow your dream, no matter how difficult it might seem to be. It is also about the power of love. It is indie fiction at its best, breaking out of the boundaries set by genre, and experimenting with new and exciting ways to write a story. It is extremely funny; hilarious in parts. I almost laughed out loud in public a few times whilst reading it. It does contain some controversial topics and taboo subjects, but those topics are skillfully woven into the story making them a realistic portrayal of very vivid characters' lives and experiences. This book is very original and entertaining. I would recommend Metallic Dreams to music fans, especially rock and heavy metal fans, as you will find much to relate to in the book. Due to some of the content in this book I would say it is only suitable for over 18s. I am looking forward to more books by this talented writer.
If you'd like to find out a bit more about the book, and the fabulous writer, here's a link to a recent radio interview where he talks about his writing journey and reads an excerpt from the book: Melissa Craig and Charity Parkerson Show. It's a very entertaining interview. (I was honoured to have been mentioned by the author in this interview!)
The next book, I would like to recommend is 33 Days: Touring In A Van. Sleeping On Floors. Chasing A Dream. by Bill See
Bill was the lead singer of the '80s rock band Divine Weeks, and this book is a memoir. It is a diary of a 33 day tour by the band. It's in essence a book about following your dream.
Here's my review:
‘It’s not about the having and the getting, it’s about the being and becoming.’
The story of a 33 day tour by the band Divine Weeks. Bill See, the author, was the lead singer of the L.A. band who enjoyed some notoriety in the ‘80s.
In this memoir, See has collected together journal entries and memories to create much more than just a tour diary. He documents the tour with a great descriptive narrative that really captures the moment and brings his memories to life. He also talks about his own dysfunctional home life, which in some ways spurred him on to chase his dream.
See is a talented writer, who is able to impart wisdom and knowledge through his prose.
I enjoyed reading about the band’s progression from an unknown group who played only weekday gigs in their home town, to a successful band touring nationwide. But this is not just a story about the band’s journey, it’s also about the individual band members’ personal journeys along the way. See’s introspective and thought-provoking prose make the book a compulsive and insightful read.
We follow the band on their first real tour, across the US and Canada in 1987, where they play small venues, often to a handful of people. But the band’s passion is such that they are determined to do anything to reach their dream of one day becoming real rock stars. They survive with hardly any money and sleep in a van and cheap hotels, or even on friends’ floors. There is a lot of humour sprinkled throughout the book which makes it an enjoyable read. I liked the fact that the author has included photographs of memorable parts of the tour and his life in the book. It gives an extra dimension to the story.
As well as being an enthralling tour diary, this book deals with such subjects as family life, alcoholism, racism, dysfunctional families, relationships, friendship, loyalty, and the power of dreams.
Divine Weeks’s story is an inspirational one that shows what someone can achieve if they follow their dream. The author captures the essence of the book best, when he says: ‘This book is for everyone who’s stood at their crossroads with a dream screaming inside wondering whether to choose the road that goes off the map or fold up their tent and head back home.’
Highly recommended.
The great thing about this book is that it is about a real band with real music. After reading the book, I looked up some of their music on YouTube and really like it. That makes the book extra special. Here's a link to the book trailer that also includes clips of their music. 33 Days Book Trailer
Bill See has an exceptional gift for writing and getting his message across. He comes across as very wise; a true artist.
33 Days is another must read for music fans, and for anyone who has ever had a dream. It's one of those books that stays with you long after you've read it. A permanent favourite.
Thirdly, I am recommending a wonderful novel, B-Sides and Broken Hearts by Caryn Rose
This one had me hooked from the start. I could relate to the main character, a music lover to whom music is like a lifeline.
Here's the review I wrote when I read the book:
B-Sides and Broken Hearts is the story of 37 year-old Lisa, who is finding it hard coming to terms with the death of Joey Ramone, one of her favourite musicians. His death forces her to think about her life and she finds that she is not happy. Her relationship with the predictable, Ian, is not the type of relationship she had envisaged for herself when she was young. The death of Joey Ramone leads to a torrent of emails from Lisa’s music-loving friends, and puts her back in touch with Jake, the singer with a successful band, Blue Electric. Lisa had been there with Jake and the rest of the band right from the start when they were unknown and penniless. She watched them grow into a band that could fill arenas. However, for the past 5 years her relationship with the band has been overshadowed by the fact that her boyfriend shows little interest in getting to know them. From the outside, all of Lisa’s friends have always thought she should have ended up with Jake. None of her friends like Ian. After Joey Ramone’s death, when Ian fails to understand why she is so upset, Lisa makes the decision to visit her old friends in LA. She packs some belongings, mainly CDs for the journey, and drives all night to revisit her past. Lisa goes on a journey in this novel, to find the person she really is. After a tragic relationship when she was younger, she had lost her way. Will her old friends in LA help her reconnect with the real Lisa?
This book is about dreams, friends, love, relationships, and above all it is about music and how music can have a profound influence on our lives.
I would recommend this book to anyone who has ever felt that the world had ended because their favourite band split up, anyone who obsessively waited for new albums to be released by their favourite bands and spent their last pennies on gigs and records, anyone who has ever screamed the lyrics to their favourite songs while driving in their car... This is a book for dreamers, and reaffirms the importance of believing in your dreams, and following your heart.
It is well written and engaging. I found myself feeling sad when I knew that the story would soon end. The ending is poignant and uplifting at the same time. This is a must read for music lovers.
This is a novel but reads almost like a memoir. Again it's a must read for music lovers. I found it hard to put down, and really wanted to know what was going to happen to the characters.
The next book I'm recommending is by wonderfully talented musician and writer, who is also very friendly and supportive of fellow artists.
Pixels of Young Mueller by Jerry Schwartz is a coming of age story about a boy who always dreamed of becoming a rock star.
It's about how life can get in the way of our dreams. In a similar way to B-Sides and Broken Hearts, it reads almost like a memoir. And, like 33 Days, it has the added bonus of being based on an actual band. Jerry is the lead singer/musician behind the band The Jerrys whose music is mentioned in the book. Here's a link to the band website: The Jerrys
Here's my review:
"My life is a movie in which the main character spends his life running from one dumb job to another" Klaus Mueller.
I really enjoyed this book. It was a breath of fresh air in respect of the honesty of the lead character's thoughts within the pages. At times I was questioning whether this is in fact a memoir or a fictional story, and perhaps the author would like us to wonder about that.
Klaus Mueller is a young boy when we meet him, he has dreams of becoming a rock star. This entertaining story is written in chapters relating to different stages of Mueller's life as he grows from a boy to a man, becomes a husband and a father.
Anyone who has ever wanted to break free from the confines of a 9-5 job will relate to young Mueller; anyone who has ever dreamed to making a living from their artistic endeavours will also relate; anyone who has ever loved music to such a degree that it became all encompassing will relate; and anyone who has just stopped to look around and questioned that there must be more to life than the life they are living will relate to this young man's story. I think that just about covers everyone.
This is a story of an ordinary man who does not live blindly but questions everything around him. It's an entertaining look at life. I found myself agreeing with a lot of the character's opinions about things, and I could relate to the struggles of an artist trying to fit into 'normal' routine existence.
Well written, insightful and thought provoking, with some laugh-out-loud moments, I would recommend this book to everyone. It's also almost a social history book, as notorious events from the past 5 decades are scattered throughout the story. Anyone who grew up in the '60s or '70s will no doubt enjoy this trip down memory lane.
Finally, I'd like to recommend Ladies and Gentlemen...The Redeemers by Michael Scott Miller.
[image error]
Here's my review:
This is a wonderful book, well written and entertaining. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Ladies and Gentlemen... The Redeemers, tells the story of Bert Ingram, a once successful music rep who worked for a major record company. Now facing middle-age, he finds himself destitute with nothing to show for the years he spent following his dream and the passion he has for music and spotting great talent. His former colleagues have given up on him and he seems destined to spend the rest of his life as an outcast. Bert has something to prove, so he makes it his mission to find raw talent among the down and outs in San Francisco; the musicians who play music on the streets. He has already set his sights on a singer he has spotted at Montgomery Street BART Station. We follow Bert as he tries to put together a band of musicians and lead them to super stardom, to prove to his former associates that he is still a major player.
The characters are introduced by the author in individual chapters, where we learn about their backgrounds and lives. Although they are all quite different, they are brought together by one man who has seen something in them. Bert Ingram prides himself on being able to spot talent when he sees it. I liked the interaction between the band members and between Bert and the individuals in the band. It is a very realistic portrayal of a band and all of the behind the scenes aspects of that. I recently read an excellent memoir about the life of a touring band 33 Days by Bill See, and I was reminded of certain parts of that book when I was reading Ladies and Gentlemen... The Redeemers.
The story of The Redeemers teaches us that everyone can learn something from another person, no matter who that person is. It also shows that it is possible for people of different social classes and backgrounds to come together and get along with each other when ignorance and prejudice are set aside.
Ladies and Gentlemen... The Redeemers, reminds us that following our dreams is important, and listening to those who have experience is an important part of the journey.
Highly recommended. A book that music fans will love.
I love the characters in this book, they are so realistic. It's fiction, but you would be mistaken for thinking that the author is writing about real people, real band members. Another book that music lovers will enjoy.
Well, that's all for now. I hope you'll try the books.
Look out for next month's pick!
Introducing Musician and Author, Thomma Lyn Grindstaff!
Thomma Lyn Grindstaff, is a talented author and also a gifted musician. I met her a while ago on BestsellerBound.com, and had no idea that as well as writing some great fantasy novels and stories, she has also composed some fabulous music. Recently, I heard about the release of her first album Womanspirit Rising and being a music lover, I decided to download it. I am so glad I did. The music on Thomma's album is beautiful. After listening to the album, I was keen to introduce her to all of you.
Here's my interview with Thomma:
As you write classical music, I've always wondered about the thought process behind giving the tunes a title. How do you come up with titles for your tunes, or do you come up with the titles or theme first and then write the tune around that?
That's a great question, Maria! I do think of my music as classical/neoclassical, but many of my compositions double as instrumentals and as songs. That means it can go either way. Sometimes I think of a title or theme first, and then the music comes to me based on that. Sometimes I'll put lyrics to the music once it's written. Other times, I'll write poetry / song lyrics first, then compose music for the lyrics. When I read poetry, I often hear music to fit its cadences, and when I do that with my own poems, they become song lyrics.
You have quite a few cats. I love cats and I know that many of my blog followers do too, Can you tell us a bit more about yours?
Hubby and I have four cats, all rescues, collectively known as the Ballicai. Why Ballicai? Well, the first cat who came to us we named Brainball, since he's a fuzzball with eyes -- a big, floofy, orange boy. Next came Dorydoo, a petite, sleek black cat whom we nicknamed Blackball. Brainball and Blackball -- a "Ball" theme, and that morphed into "The Ballicai." After Dorydoo came to us, a lovely, odd-eyed white cat showed up as a stray on our back porch. We named her Marilyn MonREOW and nicknamed her Eyeball. Our fourth Ballicus, a Snowshoe Siamese boy, also came to us as a stray. We named him MaoMao, since that's how he introduced himself to us: with a loud "MAO." His nickname is, of course, Maoball. Brainball and Marilyn are our two Venerable Ballicai, both of them around 15-17 years old. Dorydoo is going on eight years old, and MaoMao is going on six. Brainball is our Gentle Giant and Benevolent Alpha Cat, while Dorydoo is our intense kitty genius (if she had opposable thumbs, she'd take over the world). Marilyn MonREOW is a lapcat and love bug, while MaoMao is our comic (Charlie Chaplin in a cat suit).
Have any of your cats ever inspired a piece of music or a story?
Oh, yeah. One of my songs, "Lion Boy" (which I plan to include on my third album), was inspired by and written for Brainball, our big Alpha Cat. Collectively, the Ballicai all inspired Misty Laurel's love of cats in my novel Heart's Chalice (in that novel, there are two very interesting feline characters). MaoMao makes a cameo in my novel Patchwork Stained Glass. The heroine of Mirror Blue, another of my novels, also has cats, who are loosely based on Brainball and on a neighbor's kitty who sometimes visits our back porch.
Which came first writing fiction, or writing music?
When I was very young, maybe about three years old, I taught myself to read and to play piano by ear. Writing stories and writing music followed shortly thereafter. So I can't really remember which came first, but I do recall my mom telling me that I was singing before I was talking.
If you could choose any venue in the world to perform your music where would you choose, and why?
Madison Square Garden. That would be just plain cool. :) Or maybe Carnegie Hall, since it's such a gorgeous concert venue and, from what I hear, so acoustically perfect for performances.
When you finish a piece of music who is usually the first person to hear it?
My husband. We've been married for going
on sixteen years, and whenever I compose a new piece of music, I play it for him to get his impressions. Now that I have my digital piano and can record directly to a flash drive, I save arranged versions of my pieces, and he's the first person to hear those, also. He's always been wonderfully enthusiastic and supportive of my music goals and dreams.
Do you have a favourite song or classical tune?
Oh my goodness, I could write an endless list for this question. There are so many songs and classical pieces I love. I adore Bach, Handel, Beethoven, Mozart, Rachmaninoff, Debussy, Chopin, Brahms, Vivaldi, and Tchaikovsky. I also adore Kate Bush, Led Zeppelin, Tori Amos, Peter Gabriel, Enya, Loreena McKennitt, Patti Smith, the Alan Parsons Project, Trent Reznor, and Jethro Tull. The composition standing out in my mind right now, though, is Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2, played by my favorite-ever concert pianist, Sviatoslav Richter.
What bands/composers were your favourites when you were growing up and have any of them influenced your style?
The classical masters cited above were all major influences -- both listening to their works and playing them myself. Other influences while I was growing up were quite diverse: Led Zeppelin, Kate Bush, and George Winston all come to mind. I'd have to say that my style was influenced the most by classical music, since as a child and a teenager I studied with a wonderful teacher (a professor at the University of Tennessee), I and played various works of Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and contemporary composers. Other music influenced me as well, whether classic rock or new age.
Which classical composer would you like your music to be compared to?
I'd have to say Ludwig van Beethoven. The emotional range and intensity of his compositions is simply mind-blowing.
I have read your short story, Deadfalls, and really enjoyed it. It's a fantasy tale. Do you only write fantasy, or have you written other genres?
As an author, I consider myself a genre-buster. My debut novel,Mirror Blue, is women's fiction and is marketed by its publisher, Black Lyon, as a Literary Love Story. Heart's Chalice, one of my indie-published novels, is magical realism, while Patchwork Stained Glass, my other indie-published novel, is mainstream fiction -- perhaps book club fiction -- and quite philosophical in nature. "The Saddle of Private Lucius Gray," another short story, is literary fiction.
I enjoyed your short story collection, Ripples. I understand it is based on characters from your novel Heart's Chalice. That's a very interesting concept and perhaps one that other authors would have fun with, working with their own characters. What inspired that?
A good friend of mine encouraged me to try my hand at writing flash fiction. Up until that point, I had mainly written long tales. I had such a good time writing the flash fiction that I started regularly participating in flash fiction weekly challenges. I'd still be doing that if I weren't so busy! ;) At the time my friend encouraged me to try flash fiction, I was writing the first draft of Heart's Chalice, so I used the flash fiction as a means by which to get to know my characters better and explore their lives in timelines that lay outside the scope of the novel.
Misty Laurel, one of the characters in Heart's Chalice, has second sight. Have you ever had any premonitions?
One thing that stands out in my mind was when a great uncle of mine died. I'd dreamed of him just the night before the very morning he died, even though by that time, I hadn't seen him in ten years. An interesting experience, to be sure.
I must find time to read your longer works. Tell us a bit more about those.
Mirror Blue is a May-December love story. At a book signing event, Aphra meets Isaac, the author she's idolized since her teenage years. He's twenty years her senior. She winds up redesigning his web site, and the two of them fall in love. From the beginning, it seems everything is against them. Isaac's ex-wife decides she wants back in his life and wants Aphra out of the way. Isaac's son naturally wants his parents back together, so Aphra feels, more and more, that this relationship simply cannot work out. Mirror Blue is a story of love faced with tremendous obstacles and what happens when people's greatest enemies to love and happiness aren't even other people per se but themselves and their own preconceptions.
Heart's Chalice is a wild, woolly magical realism ride. The tagline I use for the story is "Destiny rarely gives a woman a second chance at love, especially not with a man who died twenty years ago." Misty Laurel -- who goes by Laurel -- misinterpreted a vision when she was eighteen, and her first and only love, Nate, died as a result. Now, twenty years later, she finds herself pulled to an alternate reality in which he lives and they have two children, but a reality in which she has died. The story of Heart's Chalice is how Laurel -- in one reality -- and Nate -- in another reality -- try to bring their two worlds together to get a second chance to share their lives and have a family together. And the pressure is on in both realities. One of Nate and Laurel's children, in Nate's reality, is clinically depressed and has attempted suicide. And in Laurel's reality, she has an estranged, soon-to-be ex husband who's a fanatic and control freak and is, as he's faced with losing control over Laurel, becoming increasingly deranged. It's a dark and edgy story, to be sure, and it asks the question, how much would you do, how much suffering and hardship would you endure, if you had lost the love of your life and got a second chance to be with him/her?
Patchwork Stained Glass is a story that asks the question, "Can love and friendship triumph over differences in ideology?" Romilly, a college student and atheist, falls in love with Ernest, who is not only the graduate instructor of her Comparative Religion class but also a preacher in a little country church. Though Romilly and Ernest share common ground in that they are both open-minded and tolerant, the people around them are less so. Ernest's family think Romilly is a heathen in need of salvation, and Romilly's friends think Ernest is out to convert her. Tensions mount and nearly tear them apart. When Ernest is diagnosed with a chronic disease that threatens his life, labels become less important, but has their mutual awakening come too late? The story explores how people of different philosophies can come together to find common ground whether in friendship and in love, and what happens when they allow rigidity and intolerance to divide them.
Who are your favourite authors and what do you like about their writing?
Oh, there are so many. :) Let's see if I can limit myself (there again, as with music, I could write an endless list). I have always loved Carl Sagan's books, not just his wonderful nonfiction works but also his novel, Contact. I find him incredibly inspirational not only with his passion for knowledge but his reverence for the numinous, the awesome mysteries of the vast universe in which we live. I also love William Styron's works, particularly Sophie's Choice. I have never read a book in which an author combined tragedy and humor to such incredible effect, and the story shakes me to my core every time I read it (yes, I've read it multiple times). Haruki Murukami rocks my world. He's a Japanese author who is, like me, something of a genre buster, but he is particularly masterful with magical realism. His writing is also close to my heart because, like me, he has a passion for music and for cats. My favorite novel by Murukami is Kafka on the Shore, but I love all his novels that I've read. The Brontë sisters rock, and I have a particular love for Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre. I also love J.R.R. Tolkien's works, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogy, which are masterpieces of world-building. Other writers I love include Madeleine L'Engle, Flannery O'Connor, Carson McCullers, Victor Hugo, Khalil Gibran, Khaled Hosseini, Amy Tan, Manly Hall (philosopher), Alan Watts (philosopher and student of Buddhism and Taoism), Pema Chodron (Shambhala Buddhist), Jack Kornfield (Vipassana Buddhist), and Dogen Zenji (Zen master who lived in the thirteenth century).
Are you reading a book at the moment?
I'm reading The Roaring Stream, a Zen reader that includes teachings from Zen masters throughout the centuries. As Zen is my spiritual path, I'm finding The Roaring Stream to be wonderfully enlightening, pun intended. ;)
Do you prefer print or e-books?
I'm going to be wishy-washy here and say I like them both equally. It's kind of apples vs. oranges for me: each is great in its own way. I'll always have a love for paper books. I enjoy how they feel, how their pages turn, even how they smell. But I have also been won over by the sheer convenience and portability of e-books, since e-readers can store thousands upon thousands of great reads.
Where can people find out more about your music and books?
Here's my website, where I provide all kinds of information and links to my books and my music online:Thomma Lyn Grindstaff. I also maintain a Facebook Page for myself as a pianist and composer, from which listeners can stream all the pieces on my album and download some of them for free. I also have links to my music album and to all my books on my blog, on which I also feature posts that are accompanied by impromptu piano sketches.
Your new album is a collection of beautiful tunes, I really enjoy listening to it. I understand you've been writing music for many years, were these tunes all specifically written for one album or are they a collection of tunes you've written over the years? Which one did you write first, and which is the newest?
Thanks so much for your kind words, Maria! I'm so happy that you're enjoying the album. Those pieces were composed over a period of many years. I've composed, in total, around fifty songs and instrumental pieces, and I'm always composing more, so I don't expect to run out of material for future albums. :) On Womanspirit Rising, the title track, "Womanspirit Rising," is technically the oldest, though it's evolved quite a bit throughout the years. The newest composition on the album is "Sunflower Smile," written two years ago.
Do you have a favourite tune that you've written? If so, what makes it special to you?
All my pieces are special to me, but I'd have to say that "Sunflower Smile" is my favorite piece. It doubles as an instrumental piece and as a song (it has lyrics, and I'll be singing it on my next album). It's special to me because I wrote it to honor a dear loved one who passed away from cancer two years ago. He was a much-loved family member who taught me so much about joy in life and unconditional love. No matter what was going on, he always had a bright, loving, and brilliant smile for other people. He was unfailingly kind, selfless and optimistic, and he had the most delightful, shining smile I've ever seen, hence "Sunflower Smile."
What other projects are you working on at the moment?
On the music front, I'm preparing to record Finding Her Voice, my second music album. It will feature ten of my songs, with piano and vocals, and possibly some additional piano-only tracks. Yes, I love to sing, too. I also play guitar! I have a third music album planned, entitled Aurora Borealis, which will feature both instrumental pieces and songs. On the writing front, I'm writing the first novel in what I will call the Wandering Sage Series. The first novel is called The Renunciate, and it's something of a philosophical novel about a young woman nearing graduation who starts second guessing what she's been working toward all these years: a professional career, marriage, children, and the whole white picket fence thing. She decides, instead, to hit the road in search of adventure and other possibilities with an older friend of hers who is likewise wanting to start a new life. The novel, as well as the whole series, will be in the picaresque vein and very much about self-discovery and realization. Think of it as something of a combination of Robert M. Pirsig's Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenence and Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist. ;)
Thank you for being a wonderful guest, Thomma, and good luck with all your future projects!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You can listen become Thomma's fan and listen to her songs on Reverbnation at the following link!
http://www.reverbnation.com/artist/ar...
